Chapter 11
Robert had comewith a horse and cart today hoping that Diana would accept his offer of thepicnic.
He helped Diana into the cart after she had secured herself a sunhat and shawl as it was only early April and could still bechilly.
“Go on,” Robert instructed the horse and snapped thereins.
“Where are we headed?” Dianaasked.
“I have a small house further down on the Cam and I keep a puntthere.”
“Your own punt? My, howconvenient.”
“I like to take a break fromBalfourand my sister from time to time without going all the way toLondon.”
Diana cast a quick glance at Robert. “Your sister… she is older than youare?”
“She is, and helped raise me after our parentsdied.”
“You must love herdearly.”
Now Robert gave her a quick glance. “I do. But… well, she can be difficult. We do not always see eye to eye on many issues and it has been difficult for her to transition from being in control of me to me being in control of her as the new head of thehousehold.”
“Isee.”
“But I do love her dearly and wish that she might find herself ahusband.”
Diana laughed. “To take heraway?”
“Yes, I am ashamed toadmit.”
“I observed at dinner the other evening that she seemed to be trying to set you up with Lady Wilton. Did I misread thesituation?”
“You did not. However, the rather rowdy and inebriated Viscount seemed to be demanding her attention—much to the chagrin of my sister Inoticed.”
Diana laughed. “Ah, the best laidplans…”
Before long they arrived at the Earl’s house on the Cam, and Robert transferred the picnic basket from the cart to thepunt.
And once Diana was settled comfortably in her seat, Robert pushed away from the dock and began poling their leisurely, late-morning way down theriver.
As Robert punted, he observed Diana enjoying the view along the banks. She was so totally at ease and secure in herself. He knew they would be spending a lot to time together. Especially after the book was published and she would be attending many publicity functions which he also planned toattend.
Each time he was with her—particularly when they were alone together—he grew ever fonder of her, and regretted that she was engaged. Of course, that was very selfish, and he wished her all possible happiness. But he also sensed that, for some unknown reason, her engagement was not all thatsecure.”
“Ah, here we are. This is the spot where I love to picnic,” Robert said as he guided the punt to shore. He hopped off, secured the boat, and then helped Diana ashore, taking her warm hand and regretting lettinggo.
“Do you bring many of your lady friends here to picnic?” Diana askedteasingly.
“By the dozens. But not all at the same time,” he teasedback.
They proceeded to spread out a blanket and prepare the picniclunch.
“I have a lovely Beaujolais that I think you might enjoy,” he said, as he uncorked the bottle and poured them each aglass.
As they lunched, Robert began talking about his book and familiarizing her with the basic elements of theplot.
“Of course, once the galley prints are ready I will get you a copy of your own toread.”
